Schadrac Casimir, Trinity Catholic High School, drives past the Woodstock Academy defenders and goes up for a shot in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Schadrac Casimir, Trinity Catholic High School, drives past the Woodstock Academy defenders and goes up for a shot in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Neno Merritt, Trinity Catholic High School, fights for a loose ball in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Neno Merritt, Trinity Catholic High School, fights for a loose ball in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School's Brandon Wheeler and a teammate sit on the bench dejected after losing to Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Trinity Catholic High School's Brandon Wheeler and a teammate sit on the bench dejected after losing to Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Tremaine Frasier, Trinity Catholic High School, goes up for a shot in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Tremaine Frasier, Trinity Catholic High School, goes up for a shot in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Sullivan Gardner, Woodstock Academy, pulls down a rebound in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Trinity Catholic High School at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Sullivan Gardner, Woodstock Academy, pulls down a rebound in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Trinity Catholic High School at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School's Tyrell St. John gets airborne for a shot in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Trinity Catholic High School's Tyrell St. John gets airborne for a shot in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School's Brandon Wheeler and Woodstock Academy's John McGinn fight for a rebound in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Trinity Catholic High School's Brandon Wheeler and Woodstock Academy's John McGinn fight for a rebound in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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A Trinity Catholic High School cheerleader and fan stand dejected after the loss to Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

A Trinity Catholic High School cheerleader and fan stand dejected after the loss to Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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A group of jubilant Woodstock Academy fans during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Trinity Catholic High School at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

A group of jubilant Woodstock Academy fans during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Trinity Catholic High School at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School's Brandon Wheeler pulls down a rebound during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Trinity Catholic High School's Brandon Wheeler pulls down a rebound during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, ... more

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School fans cheer their team on during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School fans cheer their team on during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School head coach Mike Walsh during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School head coach Mike Walsh during the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game against Woodstock Academy at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Trinity Catholic High School against Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Photo: Mark Conrad

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Trinity Catholic's Tremaine Frasier goes up for a basket over Sullivan Gardner of Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, March 16, 2013. less

Trinity Catholic's Tremaine Frasier goes up for a basket over Sullivan Gardner of Woodstock Academy in the CIAC class L boys basketball championship game at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Saturday, ... more

UNCASVILLE -- As soon as Mike Walsh finished delivering his postgame speech in hushed tones to a numbed audience, Schadrac Casimir went into his gym bag and put on one of his favorite possessions: Dr. Dre Beats.

A season that started with modest hopes, only to reach soaring expectations, came to a crashing conclusion Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun, as the top-ranked Crusaders were outplayed by No. 2 Woodstock Academy, 52-49, in the Class L championship game.

It was Trinity's lowest point total of the season.

The Centaurs scored the game's first eight points -- all from within two feet of the basket -- and though they twice took leads, the second time at 43-42 with 4:34 remaining, it was an uphill climb all day for the Crusaders (25-3).

"I think the start was very important," Walsh said. "We rushed shots early. Their entire game plan was to make it very difficult for us to score."

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That was indeed the strategy of Centaurs coach Greg Smith and his fluctuating zone defenses. Smith decided if his team was going to fail in its first state final appearance, it would be because the Crusaders beat it from the perimeter.

"With Schadrac Casimir and Tremaine Fraiser, they can shoot the lights out and proved it all year long," said Smith, referring to the Trinity starting backcourt. "We tried to take away one thing they are good at. They are good at driving and they are good at shooting from outside. We tried to make them shoot from outside and eat up all the rebounds, which we did."

Trinity made just 33 percent of its field goal attempts, shot 33 percent from the foul line and converted just 8 of 29 shots from 3-point range. Casimir, who had a senior season at least the equal of any of the program's past stars, made just 6 of 20 shots, finishing with 15 points.

Casimir's last shot of his career was a long 3-pointer that missed at the buzzer after the Centaurs' Ian Converse made two free throws with 5.7 seconds remaining.

"We just didn't make shots today," Casimir said in a soft tone. "I missed a lot of shots. Today it was me. This is the worst way to go out, as a senior. Everyone has been commenting this has been a good year, but it didn't end the way we wanted it to. I let them down."

Fraiser kept the Crusaders in the game early, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds, including five 3-pointers. Brandon Wheeler added 13 points and 11 rebounds and also tried to shoulder the blame.

"They played good defense," Wheeler said. "I feel like I didn't play the way I was supposed to. I missed a lot of shots. I think we didn't come out to play hard. We came out lackadaisical."

Trinity is now 6-6 in state final games, the last title coming in 2011.

A lot of people didn't take the Centaurs seriously at the start of the tournament, due more to their lack of pedigree. But Converse, who finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, was sensational from the outset as Woodstock took advantage of its height advantage and was able to pound the ball inside. Sullivan Gardner added eight points and 14 rebounds.

Woodstock took out two FCIAC schools en route to the championship, defeating Wilton in the quarterfinals. The Centaurs also eliminated SWC champion Bunnell in the semifinals.

Trinity, no stranger to championship comebacks, almost had another after the Centaurs (23-2) scored seven straight points to take a 49-43 lead with 3:24 left.

Woodstock missed five straight free throws down the stretch, and Trinity got within 50-49 when Wheeler made the first of two free throws with 8.9 seconds left. After a timeout, he missed the second.

"I feel bad for them because they didn't get the ultimate goal," Walsh said as he watched player after player, head hanging, leave the locker room. "But it wasn't for a lack of effort."